Uninstall on one machine to reinstall on another

[tuffluck]

i am building a new computer with an SSD. the current HDD i have will be my backup drive on the new computer. do i need to uninstall the OS from the HDD before i attempt to install win 7 on my new SSD? how would microsoft know that it is installed on 2 drives (in the same computer)? i kind of want to leave it on the HDD while i install the SSD and build the new computer, in case something goes wrong in the build process and i need to use the HDD with my old computer.

if i have to install it from the the HDD first, how do i do that exactly? i was thinking just restart and boot to the win 7 cd and reformat the drive without actually installing win 7. sorry i have never done this before, thanks for the help.

 

[COLGeek]

The license is tied to the motherboard and not the storage device. You should have no trouble installing Win 7 to the SSD.

Make sure you install to the SSD with the HDD disconnected. After installing Win 7, then you can add the HDD.

See this thread for more advice on configuring your SSD. Good luck!!!

http://www.tomshardware.com/forum/1813-63-tomshardware

 

[tuffluck]

The license is tied to the motherboard and not the storage device. You should have no trouble installing Win 7 to the SSD.

Make sure you install to the SSD with the HDD disconnected. After installing Win 7, then you can add the HDD.

See this thread for more advice on configuring your SSD. Good luck!!!

http://www.tomshardware.com/forum/1813-63-tomshardware

still a little confused. i am using a new mobo. i'm building a brand new pc from scratch. if i don't format or uninstall win 7 from the other computer, will the new computer allow its install? problem is i've already disassembled the old computer so am hoping i don't have to put it together just so the mobo can read the win 7 being uninstalled?

 

[COLGeek]

Thanks for clearing that up. So, you have a NEW motherboard and a NEW SSD and an old HDD (with Win 7 installed on it). Is that correct?

Do you have a retail or OEM version of Windows 7?

 

[sarmstrong806]

If you have the retail version CD they seemed to have no problem with installing on a new computer, so long as you aren't running two versions. I explained that it was a new motherboard, etc. in detail. I called the licensing line and they took over the computer remotely and put in a new CD key with my Win 7 Upgrade retail. He actually copied and pasted and tried multiple keys and then typed in the phone activation codes for me. As long as you have the code stamped around the inside ring of the CD. They even showed me how to edit the registry to do future clean installs with the upgrade version.

Call the volume licensing or similar hotline and choose "Personal"